Sometimes when you put on a rock n roll record, you just want to chill and nod your head with a straight, vibey rocker or absolutely trash to something fully heavy and aggressive, and that’s just fine. I mean, what would the world be without straight-ahead, classic rock and metal?
But sometimes, you want to hear a band crank up the guitars and kick out some stranger jams, sidestepping expectations to pump the rock full of weirdo twists and turns, groovy alt-funk touches, dissonant riffing, or driving momentum and dreamy texture.
Well, each of those is on full display in some recent new singles from across the sprawl of Oklahoma’s ever-evolving rock scenes, from right here in the metro all the way to that other city.
Idiot Mile – ‘24’
The final lead-in single before the full-length debut LP from OKC-based hardcore-gazers Idiot Mile, “24” is a wooly, fuzz-covered example of the massive power that these atmospheric rockers can wield.
After a brief false start introduces the rough-hewn, distorted guitar hook, the whole band crashes in around it in a full-volume flood that only barely subsides to make way for the verb-drenched vocal.
It’s a fantastically tightened and pleading post-emo powerhouse of a track, but what really sells it and sets it just left of center are the inspired harmonic choices peppering in dissonance and key shifts throughout.
The head riff’s leading bass note is just dissonant enough to catch your ear and carry you through the up-and-down momentum of the hook, and when the whole band turns around to land on a new inversion of the key in the bridge, it’s like a ratcheting tension just waiting to explode into the ending.
“24” by Idiot Mile – and the band’s debut full-length album “Safe in Sound” – are streaming everywhere now from Mystery Class Records.
Oceanaut – ‘Elevator’
With a frantic, cascading assault of guitars, Tulsa prog-wilders Oceanaut burst back to life on their first official release in years.
“Elevator” is capital-P “Prog,” boasting all the time-signature trickery, spaced-out soloing, and crushing riffage that your heart could desire.
This is chaotic, organic, wild-eyed progressive rock, not the ultra-precise, over-produced “guitarstagram” bait that passes for too much of the prog world these days, and while it pulls openly from the crashing freneticism of The Mars Volta, the track actually feels like it’s drawing just as much on the power and unhinged energy of early Rush.
From the impenetrable wall of psychedelic, wah-soaked guitars to the colliding synths and electronic blips, “Elevator” tears through its six-plus minutes with all the gusto and confidence of an act that’s been waiting for its moment to re-emerge. And when it all culminates in an epic, prog-perfect finale, it feels like the beginning of a compelling new chapter or Oceanaut.
“Elevator” by Oceanaut is streaming everywhere now.
Lunar Division – ‘Convinced’
OKC-based hard-rockers Lunar Division are back with a brand new guitar-blasting offering that’s showing off a bit of a more adventurous and playful side of their grungy, high-gain persona.
Kicking off with what’s surely singer Randy Mitchell’s best-ever yell, the band then bashes in with some of the full-throated, full-throttle grunge they’re known for.
But on “Convinced,” they mix it up with moments of fuzzy alt-funk and grooving, left-field fun that actually move the band closer to the territory of that great wacky mid-period output from Stone Temple Pilots.
It’s the lead single for a new short collection of forward-pushing, lively tracks that they’re appropriately titling “Fresh Air,” with a high-energy EP release show set for this Friday, July 31st at 51st St. Speakeasy alongside similarly vigorous hook-masters Daychaser and Pineapple Willows.
“Convinced” by Lunar Division drops on streaming services Friday, July 31st.
Psychic Baths – ‘Sinking Island’
Taking a step back from the full-on heavy rocking, but no less driving, rolling, or powerful, psych-kissed indie-rockers Psychic Baths return with what might be their most evolved and evocative track yet.
“Sinking Island” barrels out of the gate with sharp-angled guitars and a drum-driven, post-punk engine that opens up to creeping chiptune synths and group-vocal harmonies that color it into something rousing and near-singalong.
But at the halfway mark, it falls into something sadder, something longing and pensive.
It’s all remarkably effective, taking that touch of melancholy and building it up through layering synth pads and heavier-hitting drama to develop into a cinematic climax that crackles with energy and emotion.
If you’ve ever wanted a bit more wistful catharsis in your Pixies or a dash more goth texture in your Rentals, then Psychic Baths are exactly what you’ve been looking for, and they may just be one of the most exciting bands poised to pop in the scene right now.
“Sinking Island” by Psychic Baths is streaming everywhere now.
You can find out about local music and performance happenings in the OKC metro weekly in this music column by Brett Fieldcamp. | Brought to you by True Sky Credit Union.
Brett Fieldcamp is the owner and Editor in Chief of Oklahoma City Free Press. He has been covering arts, entertainment, news, housing, and culture in Oklahoma for nearly two decades and served as Arts & Entertainment Editor before purchasing the company from founder Brett Dickerson in 2026.
He is also a musician and songwriter and holds a certification as Specialist of Spirits from The Society of Wine Educators.
